Erik.
Christine's new hair suited her. She wore it proudly. It was hard for me to cut her hair. I tried not to even brush her skin. When I did she didn't seem to notice. I didn't know what would happen when she improved. She could go and live somewhere else. She's definitely a talented actress. And I might be able to even recover her voice.
It had been a few days, and she was improving incredibly.
She had gained a bit of weight, and was able to hold down meals. I know she used some of the ballet warmups as she was becoming stronger. Her face was brightening up and there was a certain sparkle in her eye.
"Erik, do you think I should get a dress? I do like this just fine, but it would be more appropriate for me to wear a dress." She called through the music room door.
"I think you look fine no matter what, and who cares about appearances?"
"True, though you do still wear your mask everywhere."
I didn't want to talk about my mask. She normally didn't bring it up, which I liked, but now, I was slightly put off balance. Why would she talk about my mask?
"I like the mask." I say simply.
"Well it looks nice but it must hurt, and it's hard for you to eat and drink with it on."
"I like the mask."
"I'm only saying, I look pretty bad too, it doesn't matter anymore."
I laughed slightly, I expected to be offended when she brought up my mask, but for some reason I wasn't.
"I'll consider not wearing it."
"Alright."
"Have you tried singing?"
"Yes, but it hurts."
"Would you like me to continue teaching you?" I realise, that me teaching her was the entire reason she lived horribly for five months, but I wanted her to regain her lovely voice.
"I-I'm okay." She sounds hurt. I think I should avoid this topic.
"Do you have any books, or something I could use to entertain myself?"
"I have some books but I was wondering if you wanted to hear my new song?"
"Oh, sure."
"The door is unlocked just come in."
She opened the door to the room and I prepared my sheet music.
This new song to me sounds great, but it's always best to have a second opinion on your work.
While I played I didn't want to focus on her, but it was hard not to. She say next to me on the bench. She was a few inches away from me. Absentmindedly I slowly moved closer to her. She want paying attention, she was focusing on the music. It was easy for me to multi task, but I worry if I got too close I would screw up.
Christine looked up at me, her emerald eyes shining in the low candlelight of the underground room.
My eyes were locked on hers. I didn't know what was going to happen. And I didn't want to ruin whatever was happening.
The song was going to end. But I never got to finish, because my hands slipped off the keys when she raised her face to mine, and placed a gentle kiss.
It only lasted a moment, but I could feel it on my lips even after she broke away.
"I-what-you-umm?" It was all I could manage to say.
"I don't know." She says. She was looking as confused as I felt.
Why would she kiss me?
I had wanted to kiss her on many occasions. But I never did. I didn't want to impose on her.
I brought my lips back against hers. My entire body warms as soon as I touch her.
"Finish your song." She says as she pulls away slowly.
It takes me a moment to compose myself, to find the piano keys and remember where I was in the song.
It was over quickly, but she sits closer to me now. Her hip rests against mine.
"It was really nice." She says.
I don't know which of the past two events she's talking about, but I assume it's the song.
"Thank you."
"So dinner?" She asks.
"Yes, yes, that would be great."
                                  •••
"What is your favourite colour?" She asks me.
"Black."
She nods. "I should have been able to guess that."
She's sitting next to me. Normally we sit on opposite ends of the table.
"Okay, my turn. What is your favourite opera?" I ask. We decided to get to know each other a bit better.
"Dorothy."
"Interesting."
"How old are you?" She asks.
"I'm not sure, I believe I'm 25?"
"You're not sure?"
"I have a rough estimate. It's hard to keep track of time down here."
She leans up against me. I pay her head rather awkwardly.
I'm not sure how to act in this situation. We've kissed, but was that a heat of the moment thing?
Maybe I'll try to do something.
I gather her in my arms. Her eyes are inviting. I kiss her.
She cries out, she pushes me off her.
"Erik stop!"
I feel paralysed. Did I do something wrong?
"My ribs." She says. I feel relieved instantly.
"We should make sure they're alright." I say.
She lets me rewrap her bandages.
"You know if you had kept your corset, your ribs could cave in. Actually corsets aren't good for your bone structure. They screw up your organs."
"But it's customary."
"It's also customary in some cultures to bind your feet. You can't walk on them."
"I don't have any corsets though."
"I'm not sure if you'll be able to wear them after wards."
"Why?"
"You lost all your form. As you gain the weight again, your body won't be hourglass shaped."
"That is a pity. I won't look nice."
"You will always look lovely, your body will just be different."
"I guess none of that will matter if I stay with you."
"Exactly." I gesture to my mask.
"Does your face ever hurt?"
"No, it only looks like it does."
"Does it impact you in any other ways?" She reaches up and brushes her hand against the porcelain.
"I don't know. It doesn't seem like it does. Though it is harder to do some things."
"What happened when you were a boy?"
"My mother, I didn't know her well. I think she died. Anyways. I ended up in a circus. But I escaped. And I came here."
"My father and I traveled when I was young. He played violin. We met Raoul, he said he fell in love with me then. But we were but children, only 12. When my father died, I came here. Mme Giry took care of me. Then a few months ago, you started teaching me."
"Yeah. Was I a good teacher."
"Of course. But why didn't you just tell me it was you, Erik. Rather than impersonating an angel?"
"Saying: hi my name's Erik. Isn't as cool as 'I am your angel of music.'"
"Touché."
"But why play games with me? Why not just take me to your lair?"
"I wanted trust."
"Based on lies?"
"I didn't want you to see my face. I am very self conscious."
"But your plan was flawed. No matter what I would end up knowing about it."
"I know that now."
"You could have saved yourself a lot of trouble."
She yawns.
"You should go to bed my darling."